Broken Hill nurses vow to continue fight

Broken Hill nurses have vowed to continue fighting despite their strike being ignored by the NSW Government.

Health Minister Jillian Skinner said most nurses were not striking yesterday.

"They're happily working in our hospitals," she said.

But Ms Skinner was nowhere near Crystal Street, where over 50 nurses joined thousands across the state in protest against lack of adequate staffing.

"What do we want? More nurses! When do we want it? Now!" they chanted.

Nor did Ms Skinner have to attend to the avalanche of texts sent to Barry O'Farrell's mobile phone, his number having been distributed to nurses with instructions to put aside bedside manners when texting the Premier.

Bonnie Tavian of the Broken Hill branch of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association said the fight was not just for nurses, but patients too.

"Everyone in every hospital across NSW deserves the same amount of treatment," she said.

The president of the Barrier Industrial Council challenged Nationals Member for Murray-Darling John Williams to support the nurses' strike.

Danny O'Connor said Mr Williams had once pledged to turn his back on his own party if it meant abandoning the workers of Broken Hill.

Speaking to the striking nurses yesterday, Mr O'Connor said the National Party rep should put his money where his mouth is and sign the nurses' petition.

"Now's the time to come out, stand up and be counted for the people of Broken Hill, who you represent," Mr O'Connor said.

"He either believes in fighting for the people of Broken Hill and the nurses of Broken Hill or he doesn't.

"And I suggest we go down there, make an appointment, do it properly, go and see him, then we can report to the media what his response was to it."

Minister for Western NSW Kevin Humphries said the nurse-to-patient ratio was already adequate.

"The satisfaction levels from the public, particularly the patients who are treated in our hospital system, is very high and our response times are very good as well," he said.

The nurses voted unanimously to continue the fight, but made no decision about further strike action.